In Preaching Articles: "Listening to God"

Thanksgiving Is A Taste Of Home

By Christine Hoover on Jun 12, 2024

"In all things, imitate and anticipate the final Thanksgiving table and a place where all our longings will finally find their home."

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Tags: Thanks, Longing, home, give thanks, heavenly home, Thanksgiving Holiday, Gifts, God's gifts  (view more)  (view less)

10 Mistakes Churches Make At Christmastime

By Jonathan Howe on Dec 21, 2024

Unfortunately stress can lead churches to plan poorly and make unnecessary mistakes. Here are ten such mistakes to avoid in your church this Christmas.

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Holidays, prepare, focus on GOD, Christmas Gospel, church priorities, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Devil Knows How To Discourage You

By SermonCentral .com on May 10, 2022

This is the focus of all Satan’s massive, multifarious strategies: to dis-courage us through dis-belief in God’s promises.

Tags: Satan, Discouragement, give thanks, Discouraged

Piper: What's The Best Tone For Your Preaching?

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 18, 2020

"The question I have for preachers is: What tone should you aim at in preaching? This is an urgent question because, if you don’t answer it, your listeners will answer it for you."

Scripture: Romans 15:4

Tags: Communication, Preaching, voice, tone

How To Move Away From Watercolor Preaching

By Ray Hollenbach on Aug 31, 2019

Take ten minutes and write down the details from your preaching passage. Then ask yourself, “How can I help my listeners move from watercolor to the sharp clarity of oil?”

Tags:

Finish Strong: 8 Great Ways To Conclude Your Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 20, 2019

The preacher told the church, “My job is to preach and your job is to listen. If you get through before I do, please be patient and I’ll try to do the best I can.”

Tags: Preaching, conclusion

Spiritual Oil Crisis

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2022

What are you trusting God for? What are attempting for God’s glory that requires faith? Sadly, the more years people serve in ministry, the less risk-taking faith they demonstrate. We can begin to rely on our experience, our skills, and our planning to win the day. Yet, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Hebrews 11:6

Tags: Faith, Ministry, Trust, Elisha, relying on god, Risk taking, church leadership, Daring Faith, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

What Do You Do When Your Sermon Is Interrupted? Try This Five-Point Checklist

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 11, 2023

Sooner or later, every pastor has it happen. You're in the middle of a sermon, all is going well, you're on top of your game, the Lord is near, the people are listening well. And then, bam!

Scripture: Psalm 75:4-7, Matthew 12:8-13, John 12:25-30

Tags: Preaching, guidance, Surprise, interrupted, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

When People Leave: 4 Lessons In Rejection From Jesus

By Greg Surratt on Jul 8, 2021

Greg Surratt: When people leave for whatever reason, God’s got your back. What else do you really need?

Scripture: John 6:25-58

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Rejection

9 Points For Preaching On The Problem Of Evil

By Norman Geisler on Jan 22, 2025

The topic of evil offers many onramps to preaching powerful sermons and proclaiming the gospel. Dr. Norman Geisler offers insight for preaching and pastoral conversations.

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:6, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Apologetics, Evil, Satan, suffering, tragedy, Difficulties, problem of evil, Apologetics God, Sin General, Trials  (view more)  (view less)

Are Small Churches Less Fruitful?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 26, 2022

Does the size of a church always speak of its faithfulness?

Scripture: John 15:5, Matthew 7:20, Matthew 12:33-34, Luke 3:9-14, Luke 3:8, Matthew 13:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Fruit, Faithfulness, Trusting God, Church Growth, Church size, Love One Another, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

The Central Message Of The Church Is Reconciliation

By Jeff K. Clarke on Oct 10, 2022

“The essence of forgiveness is absorbing pain instead of giving it.” – Timothy Keller

Scripture: Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Tags: Forgiveness, Gospel, Reconciliation, God's Love, forgive, Forgiveness in Jesus, gospel proclamation, The Church's Message, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

What Are You Waiting For?

By Lance Witt on Dec 29, 2020

What are you going to do this next year to make the “most of your time”?

Scripture: Psalm 90:12

Tags: Holidays, Resolution, Change, Personal Growth, Trust God, Redeeming Time, new years, Growing in Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 1

By Lance Witt on May 13, 2024

"There is nothing worse than trying to inspire people to be passionate about God when you have little or no passion yourself. There is nothing more empty feeling than trying to connect people to God when you feel disconnected from God."

Tags: pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, soul care, avoiding burnout, church ministry, Growing in Faith, Christ's Love for Us, Healthy Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

10 Preaching Mistakes Everyone Can Avoid

By Jared Moore on Jun 9, 2020

If you want to help your hearers focus on God and think on God when they leave your sermon, here are 10 things that you cannot do.

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, preaching